Checklist for Writing Your Thriller

“I’m writing a book!” The guy at my library event pulled me aside to divulge his happy secret. He was so proud of himself, and excited. Wonderful! I said. What kind of book?

It’s a mystery, he said. Or maybe it’s a thriller. Or maybe it’s a novel of suspense. He looked at me, perplexed. What’s the difference?

Here’s how you know, I told him. A mystery is—Who dunnit? Someone gets killed, the main character has to figure out why.

A thriller is—gotta stop it! In a thriller, the good guys are out to stop the bad guy before he does the evil thing again.

A novel of suspense is: What’s going on here? There’s a scary or weird or sinister threat, and the main character has to figure it out.

It’s an important distinction—because when you give your crime fiction novel a genre, that’s making a contract with the reader. And there are elements the reader expects.

Today, let’s talk thrillers

What’s the key to a good one? It’s not a formula, but there are basic conventions that thriller writers understand. A thriller checklist. And then your imagination can take off from there.

The main character

The main character needs to have an important goal and motivation to accomplish it. There is much to lose! And we like the hero or heroine. Even though they may have faults, we root for them.

Increasing danger

At some point, the threat of a larger disaster interrupts the main character’s focus on their own life and requires them to change direction.

Keep it moving

The threat must be riveting. Intriguing, compelling and cinematic. A thriller is a page-turner, so something’s got to happen on every page, and make a promise for the next one.

More than personal danger

The goal—to stop the threat—is bigger than the main character’s personal life. If not derailed, the danger would affect many more people.

Sacrifice

At some point, the main character must give up a personal need or desire in order to protect others. Even better—at some point, that personal sacrifice exposes a previously unrealized personal goal.

High stakes

The danger is widespread and if it continues, it would be devastating. The stakes are indisputably high. The protagonist is afraid, or if you’ve got a Reacher, at least aware they could die.

Big setting

Give yourself a big canvas. Of course it’s your book, but a classic thriller would likely not take place in a picturesque little village. If it does, maybe the antagonist has bigger plans?

Fight fair

The antagonist is as smart as the protagonist. The battle must be between equals—a one-sided battle of wits and intelligence is not suspenseful.

Use the clock

The clock is constantly ticking. Deadlines, ultimatums, demands. “Or else” plays a big role. There’s little room for phrases like: “two weeks later,” or “after a leisurely dinner.” The necessity for action is unforgiving and relentless. “What will happen next?” should be the top of mind for the reader. You won’t use much reflection, internal dialogue, or complicated backstory. Advance the plot.

Conflict conflict conflict

That’s the engine that’s going to keep your story flying. Here’s a progression to consider: Goal, motivation, obstacle, success, disaster, decision, success, disaster. And then again. (Here’s more about how to create conflict.)

A good bad guy

The antagonist sincerely believes the goal is worthwhile and logical. The antagonist may be charismatic, and even sympathetic. Their motivation is stated and eventually clear, and twistedly understandable.

Don’t cheat

The author gets one coincidence—one canceled flight, one dead phone battery, one old friend just happening to show up. The march of the plot must be believable and realistic.

Stay smart

The protagonist must not make any move that results in the reader saying “no one would do that!” The protagonist must remain reasonable and determined—except when it comes to whatever their personal stake is. But even then, the reader must understand the decision.

The reversal

At some point, the antagonist turns his/her focus from the major goal to stopping the protagonist. This is a key moment in the book—where the characters (and the readers) understand that the outcome could go either way. Still, the reader wants the good guys to win. They have to, or else all is lost.

Extra credit

Can the stakes be global—yet personal at the same time? The protagonist should realize at some point in the story that the disaster they’re striving to avert will affect something or someone pivotally important in their personal life.

Big finish

There’s a big high-stakes climax. Often this requires another big sacrifice or a relinquishing of a long-believed goal or necessity. The protagonist’s life changes in some way.

Heart

For the main character and for the reader, there’s not only a satisfying sense of accomplishment, but also a personal reckoning and understanding.

Subgenre?

If it’s a medical thriller, or a political thriller, or a financial thriller, the same exciting conventions apply. Smart protagonist, equally smart antagonist, highest possible stakes. Your setting will be determined by your subgenre choice.

Put these items on your thriller checklist and you’ll not only deliver what your audience is expecting, but you’ll have a more complete story as well.

An investigative thriller (like my SAY NO MORE) or a domestic thriller (like my DRIVE TIME) or a psychological thriller (like my upcoming TRUST ME) will have a few different considerations. We’ll talk about those another time!